BOOKSHOP CAFÉ MAKS
PETRA KOLENC AND URBAN MAKORIČ
On February 21, 2024, the Maks Bookstore opened its doors in Ravnikarjev mesto in Nova Gorica on the former Road No. 5, today Delpinova Street. This unique space combines the love of books and pleasant socializing over coffee, and at the same time brings a new pulse to the street, which once hosted many small shops, a pastry shop, a café where different generations gathered, and perhaps that is why it spontaneously sprouted as the original city center. Soon, a market got its place there, which even today, squeezed between apartment blocks, especially on Saturdays, gives a pulse to the street. Across from it, however, a café and restaurant has been transformed into a casino—an inward-facing facility that has long since impoverished the street.
The first outlines of Delpinova Street date back to the 50s of the last century, when, according to the plan of the architect Teodor Lojko, three longitudinal communal buildings were built, the first floor of which was intended for apartments, and the ground floor with large windows for a public program and shops. These buildings follow the line of the street and are enriched with a coniferous avenue, which on hot summer days offers a pleasant shade to passers-by. Once upon a time, visitors to Delpinova could buy basic necessities, have a snack or come up with new clothes in local shops. However, the post-corona era has brought a number of changes, as many small business premises have closed. A fresh breeze in the street was brought by the Kniharna kavarna Maks, which now offers a place to refresh the body and mind – opposite the famous Park Casino.
The idea of Maks was born among the employees of the Research Station of the ZRC SAZU in Nova Gorica, who soon perceived and connected the needs of space and circles (the Goriška Humanist Association), who regularly organized events related to books (City of Books) and were present in Slovenia with the magazine Rozcestja. With their vision, they gained the support of the director of ZRC SAZU, Dr. Otto Luthar, who is responsible for making the idea materialize. At the opening, he answered the question “Who is Maks?”: “For the people of Nova Gorica, it is the architect Fabiani, for the Slovenians it is the linguist Pleteršnik, and internationally it is Max Horkheimer, a German philosopher and sociologist.”
From the first glance at the Maks Bookstore, the visitor is greeted by large mirror-glass walls, which offer an insight into the lively interior, while at the same time providing a view of the open modernist space of the street. Upon entering Maks, the guest finds himself at the transition between two worlds – on the right side he is greeted by a café where he can enjoy excellent coffee, and on the left he is greeted by a bookstore full of carefully selected book works.
Café Maks offers not only relaxation with a cup of coffee, but also a cultural experience. In the year of the European Capital of Culture 2025, Maks is committed to the Episkop project, which “writes a book” with twelve chapters of reflections on Gorizia’s past, present and future, and every month offers guests a new chapter with the artwork of the month that adorns the wall of Maks. In January, the Gorizia artist Annibel Cunoldi Attems presented her artwork Mirror – Specchio, and in February, Marko Pogačnik, the designer of the Slovenian coat of arms, exhibited his artwork, presenting himself with the creatures of the Earth’s universe.
The left side of the space belongs to the bookstore, which preserves the original architectural elements of the building – you can see recycled bricks, rough-worked walls and concrete columns, complemented by elegant metal shelving. The central space is occupied by the offer of the parent house ZRC Publishing House, which offers a rich range of scientific and humanistic literature. The bookstore is not only a place for science – on the black metal shelves, visitors can also find fiction in more than four languages, popular historical literature, poetry and philosophical works. Production related to Goriška is especially monitored – both on the Italian and Slovenian sides. Of course, there is also a selection of books for younger readers.
The multilingualism and openness of the Maks Bookstore are also reflected in numerous cultural events that take place once or twice a week. These bring talks with authors, literary evenings, music events and other intellectually rich content. Additional warmth is provided by employees who are happy to help visitors with recommendations and advice. Major book events connect Maks to the street, as the door literally opens wide onto Delpinova Street. Maks is a space for active networking of individuals and institutions operating both in the city and beyond, and as such a program co-creator of the city.
In the summer, the Mini in Maks jazz evenings will resound, which in a series of concerts encourage young educated musicians from Goriška and beyond to present themselves to the proverbial Goriška demanding audience.
The Maks Bookstore is thus not just a place of chance visit, but a meeting point of literature, art and socializing, where history, modern thought and local identity intertwine. It brings a fresh cultural pulse to Nova Gorica and connects lovers of books, art and pleasant moments over a cup of coffee.